A team of researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and the University of Isfahan in Iran has developed a new type of bicycle helmet that offers better protection for cyclists.
Their design uses special geometric shapes in a shock-absorbing material, which helps protect the head more effectively during accidents.
Traditional helmets often use foam to absorb the impact from a crash.
While these helmets do help, they have limitations when it comes to fully protecting the head.
The new design changes that by using a special kind of material structure called an auxetic metastructure.
This structure behaves differently when it’s hit—it contracts inward rather than expanding outward like most materials. This unique reaction helps absorb more of the energy from a crash, reducing the force that reaches the head.
Dr. Mohsen Mirkhalaf, a researcher from the University of Gothenburg, explained that the material’s shape is key.
The team used computer simulations and optimization techniques to find the best possible geometric pattern for absorbing impact.
Once the best design was found, they used a 3D printer to create a test helmet using a flexible plastic material called a hyperelastic polymer. This material can stretch and return to its original shape, which is perfect for handling crashes.
Tests showed that the new helmet does a better job of protecting the head than regular helmets, especially in different types of impact situations.
Another exciting part of this research is that these helmets can be made to fit individual head shapes.
Using 3D printing, each helmet can be custom-made, offering not just better safety but also improved comfort. This could be especially helpful for athletes or people who struggle to find helmets that fit well.
While 3D printing is still more expensive than traditional manufacturing methods, the cost is expected to go down as the technology becomes more common.
In the future, it may even be possible to order a helmet that’s printed just for you—safe, comfortable, and perfectly fitted to your head.
This research could lead to smarter, safer helmets not just for cyclists but also for use in other areas like sports and construction, where impact protection is important.
